News that demands attention and support from all the quarters

A couple of days ago there was news about the success of some women in the 10'th standard board exam who appeared for the exam after a big gap. Education had almost been out of their world. Some karyakartas encouraged them to reach this level. Of course, this wasn't an easy task. All had families to look after and finding time to study and focus was really difficult. The number is small but all scored around 55%. One of them scored 80% and wants to continue her education. Last few years an NGO has been helping such women and around 50 could succeed in the last 10 years.

Parents who could not complete their education are seen to have realized the role of education. All look at education as a key to success and stability in life. Especially mothers are seen to be working hard and spending on education. The only issue is identifying the right kind of courses that can help in supporting the livelihood for their children. Gradually this too would change.

 

 

But this news came as a pleasant surprise. Most mothers who send their children to aided schools ( where the medium of instruction is the local language) are not 10'th pass. Most of them left their education before reaching the 10'th standard, probably due to early marriage or having very little support from parents or it was the age when a girl can't understand the value of education. After realizing that education is absolutely essential, some of them certainly think of catching up again. Many of them feel that their status would enhance, one of the women noted that she can help her children if she too is educated. Some feel if they want to earn a little more, they need to have some special skills. The growing expenses can be met if they too undertake some work and support their home.

Of course, many of them are seen to be thinking of the fields, they are familiar with, like tailoring or being a beautician or a mehendi artist etc.

Most of them unfortunately can't support their education hence they are ready to work for some extra hours without ignoring ring their household duties. They are willing to work harder for an extended time. Many of them are aware that even after acquiring the new skills, they will have to work for a longer period to earn some extra money. They are determined to earn money and to help the family, especially to support children's education.

All the institutions that run vocational courses witness many such cases. There are quite a few motivating stories of success and hard work. They observe the transformation of many such women who confidently work and earn to support their families.

Of course, these are not the only areas women can search for opportunities. There has to be some provision to spread awareness about various employment opportunities one can have, for which proper training avenues can definitely be made available.

Recently I met a junior lab technician in a blood bank who originally joined as a helper in the lab. Her enthusiasm and sharp mind helped her learn many things and even the blood bank too motivated her to acquire proper training. When she joined she was a certificate holder in the field of fashion designing. Now she is a skilled technician.

There is another similar case of a woman who was working as a help in a beauty parlor but always wanted to get trained. In spite of being just an 8'th standard pass, she joined a vocational certificate course, succeeded, and is working as a trained beautician. Probably these women had a natural talent and fortunately had some encouraging surroundings. Of course, worked very hard to attain the remarkable feat.

The unique feature of the news is, that some wish to take up the academic route too. They wish to equip themselves with complex skills and enter into some profession. Opportunities for these women need to be made available.

Can there be some courses which can be joined at a later age? Though one will have to get through multiple levels to reach the level of professional acumen. Such flexibility ought to be provided even in the field of higher education. Can schools treat this as their social responsibility and help? They are not just the institutions absorbed into formal education. Should they not help some men and women to overcome the hurdle of secondary school graduation? They can even undertake counseling to help people identify the areas where there are opportunities and guide them about the institutes where training can be acquired. Schools need to be the centres that study the social phenomena, identify the demands of society, incubate new ideas and implement them. This would be the way everyone would get trained as per the potential and contribute to society with all the might.